2017 FDP Athlete Interviews – Group 4

The Future Development Program (FDP) is the entry-level tier of the High Performance Program for athletes aged 12 – 13 years of age. The program focuses on the identification, support and development of athletes and on the development of aspiring elite coaches. The program aims to identify potential state and national representative athletes at an age where skill development is crucial to an athlete’s future playing career. Excitement levels are building for the 2017 FDP athletes, with the camp starting next Sunday, June 25! In our fourth round of interviews, we find out what they’re most excited about coming into the FDP program, and what motivates them to play to the next level on the basketball court!

Allanah Anthony (Southern Districts)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

Lloyd Whyte because he is hard on me – in a good way, and pushes me to my fullest and helps me with my skills so I can get better.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

Aja Parham because she is always quick on her feet and uses her dribbling skills on the court. She also finds heaps of ways to score and constantly encourages everyone when she is on and off the court. I also love training with her.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

I have enjoyed meeting new friends and learning new skills and things to use on the court. Especially the high level energy and ability that all the other players bring to each session.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

I am looking forward to meeting the people from up North. It will be challenging competing with so many people of varying skill levels and it will push us all to our potential and make everything competitive and fun!

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

I am hoping to learn new things that I can remember and use in my own training sessions and also just to push myself so I can continue to improve.

Joshua Wolff (North Gold Coast Seahawks)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

Brendan Wolff, because he has taught and allowed me to develop all aspects of my game and how to read the game from all positions on the court.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

Magic Johnson.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

The competition and new drills.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

Competing against the best.

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

To learn new concepts, skill workouts and more aspects of the game.

Finauana Davenport (South West Metro)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

My favourite coach is June because she was there for me from the beginning and has helped me get to where I am today. She is always trying to help me and has never given up on me.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

A player who inspires me is LeBron James as he grew up with very hard circumstances. He could have chosen all the wrong decisions in his neighbourhood which wouldn’t have been hard to do. However, he was able to stick to what was good for him and trained with what he could. I find it inspiring how he was able to work with what he had to get where he is today.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

From FDP I have enjoyed how we are getting pushed out of our comfort zone and learning many new things. I also enjoy how no one is being judged when making mistakes.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

From the U14 Camp, I am looking forward to 4 days of basketball and pushing myself with amazing people who are very good.

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

From FDP, I am hoping to be able to attack more in offense and be able to score more for my team.

Haizyn Mellars (Gladstone Basketball)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

Out of all the coaches I’ve been through, my favourite would have to be Reuben Waihi. He is intense and stern, and his great coaching lead us to the 2017 Maori Championship which we also won.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

In all honesty, I have two people I idolise in basketball: my Mum and Kyrie Irving.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

I enjoy the fact that each training session I get to push myself to the limit.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

Improvement. I believe that this camp will be able to improve my basketball skills and game. I am also looking forward to the experience and chance to meet and challenge other players.

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

As I stated before, I am hoping to meet other great players and gain experiences that will help me improve. I am also hoping that this FDP program will help motivate me to get better. Of course, like everyone else, I am hoping to be selected for a representative team.

Benjamin Tweedy (Rockhampton Basketball)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

My favourite coach would have to be my dad Neal Tweedy. He has been with me every step of the way. He gives me as much advice as he can to make me the best basketball player possible. No other coach has taught me as much as he has, he has raised me through basketball.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

The player that inspires me the most is Jimmy Butler. He had a lot of trouble in his early life. His Dad left his family when he was young, his Mother kicked him out of the house when he was 13. There were so many times in his life where he was set up to fail. Every time, he overcame just enormous odds.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

What I’ve enjoyed most about the FDP Program so far, is the intensity at every training session and learning different skills plus drills. I’m enjoying getting coached by new coaches.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

Meeting other athletes, competing against different players and to challenge myself. Also, I want to be coached at an elite level.

Tiana Richards (Rockhampton)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

I’ve had lots of brilliant coaches but my top two would have to be Gayle Lorraway and Brianna Bailey. They have helped me in their own ways to make me become a better player over the years. Gayle has helped me a lot, she taught me anything and everything I needed to know about basketball, I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Bri has helped me a lot with my shooting and dribbling which I really appreciate. We have a great bond. She pushes us so hard in trainings which I really like and then behind the scenes of training she’s so fun to be around, us girls love her so much.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

My idol is Alexander Brady. I have always loved Alex, I just love her playing style. She’s a real asset to the game. She’s fast and she has resilience, which I think is really important if you want to play basketball at a high level. All around she’s a great player.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

I’m really enjoying the FDP program. The trainings are intense and they push us to do stuff we never thought we could do. Every drill we do combines so many different skills at the same time, which I really like. I think I’m going to get lots out of it.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

I’m really looking forward to training with the other girls because I know how good they are so it will really push me to the best of my ability and I’m hoping to make some friends while I’m there.

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

I’m hoping to learn some more skills to be a better ball dribbler and to become a better player. And of course, have some fun and enjoy the experience.

Luca Yates (Townsville Basketball)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

Favourite coach is Brad Kahn because he pushes me to my limits so I can be a better basketball player.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

Isaiah Thomas inspires me the most because, despite his height, he still works out ways to score around the hoop.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

Meeting new players from all the other Associations.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

I’m looking forward to the hard-intense training and learning new skills to improve my game.

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

I’m hoping to learn new skills and meet other players who have a passion for basketball.

Mathayus Mata‘afa (Gold Coast Regional)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

Izzy/ Isarael Tahere because he lets me play freely and knows my strengths. He believed I had the potential to be a good basketball player 4 years ago!

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

Scottie Pippen, because he’s an all-rounded player and humble.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

The drills and getting to meet up with most of QLD school sport boys. I can’t wait until the FDP camp!

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

Scrimmaging and seeing my level of skill against others. Even though I am smaller, it doesn’t affect me and seeing the whole QLD squad.

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

Improving my level of skill, trying to get better at every position and doing drills I am not familiar with. I also hope I see Pippen because he’s the man!

Tatarnya Poli (Mackay Basketball)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

My favourite coach is a very tough decision as I have more than one! The Haughton family, Jill and Lyn have taught me to always believe in myself and never ever give up on anything you want. Jamiey Doevandans has taught me about reading the play and becoming more confident in myself, and Ross Jensen has helped me develop my skills and give me responsibility on the court and encourages me to try hard and never take anything for granted. He always pushes me and expects all of my effort to be left on the court.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

Jillian Haughton is my basketball idol that inspires me. She is a great leader and has always encouraged and believed in me. Her basketball career includes representing Australia and also Captain of the QBL Meteorettes.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

I have enjoyed the intense and challenging training sessions, which is developing my ability and discovering my strengths and weakness and working on both to improve.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

I’m looking forward to training and playing with the best u14 girls I compete against, Improving on all areas in my game, becoming more consistent and meeting players and coaches and being trained by a high level of coaching staff.

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

What I’m hoping to get of the FDP camp is improving on all areas of my game and working hard to become a better player. Also being mentally and physically able to manage all facets of attack and defence, and to succeed and work towards making other higher state teams.

Ben Knight (Gladstone Basketball)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

My favourite Coach is Ray Cooper. Coach Ray is always really positive and pushes me to keep learning to be a better player. He is really big on fitness and defence and being aggressive on the court which I like.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

My big brother Mitchell inspires me. He trains really hard, and he has got to play all over the place. He has played on rep teams, state champs, emerging in America and Nationals, QBL and Bullets Camp which was Awesome! I would like to be good enough to do this to.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

Getting to train with Coach Ray and Coach Walmsley at a new level of intensity. Working hard on improving my ball skills, speed and footwork and shooting.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

I am really just looking forward to learning everything that I can at Camp to be the best I can. I am looking forward to meeting all the other athletes also and making new friends.

Wesley Briggs (Brisbane Basketball)

Who is your favourite coach and why?

Steve Kerr – Warriors Coach – because he seems to relate to the players.

Who is your basketball idol (player or coach) that inspires you?

Stephen Curry – because he is an excellent outside shooter and passes the ball well.

What have you enjoyed about the FDP Program so far?

The competitive nature of the entire session.

What are you looking forward to about the U14 Camp?

Meeting players and coaches from other coaches.

What are you hoping to get out of being part of the FDP Program?

Building resilience from competing against better players.

If you are part of the 2017 FDP Program and would like to feature in our 2017 FDP Athlete Interview series, please email [email protected]